Children and HandgunsChildren and HandgunsThe Problem and Safety ConsiderationsThe Problem and Safety Considerations

Hal W. Hendrick, Ph.D., CPEHal W. Hendrick, Ph.D., CPE

The ProblemThe Problem

One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional shootingshooting

One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional shootingshooting

The ProblemThe Problem

One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional shootingshooting

Over 4000 persons under 20 killed by handguns per yearOver 4000 persons under 20 killed by handguns per year

One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional shootingshooting

Over 4000 persons under 20 killed by handguns per yearOver 4000 persons under 20 killed by handguns per year

The ProblemThe Problem

One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional shootingshooting

Over 4000 persons under 20 killed by handguns per yearOver 4000 persons under 20 killed by handguns per year

An estimated 3% of these, or 1200, unintentionally.An estimated 3% of these, or 1200, unintentionally.

One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional One Young Child a day is killed in an unintentional shootingshooting

Over 4000 persons under 20 killed by handguns per yearOver 4000 persons under 20 killed by handguns per year

An estimated 3% of these, or 1200, unintentionally.An estimated 3% of these, or 1200, unintentionally.

Underlying Causes: Exposure Underlying Causes: Exposure

35% of all US households with children have guns35% of all US households with children have guns

35% of all US households with children have guns35% of all US households with children have guns

Underlying Causes: Exposure Underlying Causes: Exposure

35% of all US households with children have guns 35% of all US households with children have guns

Children in 54% of these households had access to Children in 54% of these households had access to unlocked guns.unlocked guns.

35% of all US households with children have guns 35% of all US households with children have guns

Children in 54% of these households had access to Children in 54% of these households had access to unlocked guns.unlocked guns.

Underlying Causes: Exposure Underlying Causes: Exposure

35% of all US households with children have guns35% of all US households with children have guns

Children in 54% of these households had access to Children in 54% of these households had access to unlocked guns. unlocked guns.

6.2% of these households with children keep guns 6.2% of these households with children keep guns unlocked and loaded (that is 40,000 children exposed unlocked and loaded (that is 40,000 children exposed to loaded guns in the home in Oregon alone!)to loaded guns in the home in Oregon alone!)

35% of all US households with children have guns35% of all US households with children have guns

Children in 54% of these households had access to Children in 54% of these households had access to unlocked guns. unlocked guns.

6.2% of these households with children keep guns 6.2% of these households with children keep guns unlocked and loaded (that is 40,000 children exposed unlocked and loaded (that is 40,000 children exposed to loaded guns in the home in Oregon alone!)to loaded guns in the home in Oregon alone!)

Underlying Causes: Exposure Underlying Causes: Exposure

35% of all US households with children have guns35% of all US households with children have guns

Children in 54% of these households had access to unlocked guns. Children in 54% of these households had access to unlocked guns.

6.2% of these households with children keep guns unlocked and loaded (that 6.2% of these households with children keep guns unlocked and loaded (that is 40,000 children exposed to loaded guns in the home in Oregon alone!)is 40,000 children exposed to loaded guns in the home in Oregon alone!)

Typical tragic example I personally investigated: Boy shot his baby sister - Typical tragic example I personally investigated: Boy shot his baby sister - Gun unlocked in parents’ bedside table, cartridge clip out, did not know a Gun unlocked in parents’ bedside table, cartridge clip out, did not know a bullet still in the chamber; playfully pointed the gun at his sister and pulled bullet still in the chamber; playfully pointed the gun at his sister and pulled the trigger!the trigger!

35% of all US households with children have guns35% of all US households with children have guns

Children in 54% of these households had access to unlocked guns. Children in 54% of these households had access to unlocked guns.

6.2% of these households with children keep guns unlocked and loaded (that 6.2% of these households with children keep guns unlocked and loaded (that is 40,000 children exposed to loaded guns in the home in Oregon alone!)is 40,000 children exposed to loaded guns in the home in Oregon alone!)

Typical tragic example I personally investigated: Boy shot his baby sister - Typical tragic example I personally investigated: Boy shot his baby sister - Gun unlocked in parents’ bedside table, cartridge clip out, did not know a Gun unlocked in parents’ bedside table, cartridge clip out, did not know a bullet still in the chamber; playfully pointed the gun at his sister and pulled bullet still in the chamber; playfully pointed the gun at his sister and pulled the trigger!the trigger!

Underlying Causes: Underlying Causes: Unrealistic Parental Perceptions Unrealistic Parental Perceptions

Survey results:Survey results: 28% of parents believe their child 28% of parents believe their child (under 12) could be trusted with a loaded gun!(under 12) could be trusted with a loaded gun!

58% of survey group stored guns either loaded or 58% of survey group stored guns either loaded or unlocked.unlocked.

Conclusion:Conclusion: The majority of parents underestimate The majority of parents underestimate the risk of injury from handguns to their children!the risk of injury from handguns to their children!

Survey results:Survey results: 28% of parents believe their child 28% of parents believe their child (under 12) could be trusted with a loaded gun!(under 12) could be trusted with a loaded gun!

58% of survey group stored guns either loaded or 58% of survey group stored guns either loaded or unlocked.unlocked.

Conclusion:Conclusion: The majority of parents underestimate The majority of parents underestimate the risk of injury from handguns to their children!the risk of injury from handguns to their children!

Underlying Causes: Lack of Underlying Causes: Lack of handgun safety training handgun safety training

Most young children exposed to handguns in the Most young children exposed to handguns in the home have had no handgun safety training.home have had no handgun safety training.

Most young children exposed to handguns in the Most young children exposed to handguns in the home have had no handgun safety training.home have had no handgun safety training.

Underlying Causes: Lack of Underlying Causes: Lack of handgun safety training handgun safety training

Most young children exposed to handguns in the Most young children exposed to handguns in the home have had no handgun safety training.home have had no handgun safety training.

Some adolescents do, but often taught by a parent Some adolescents do, but often taught by a parent who has had no handgun safety training (i.e., blind who has had no handgun safety training (i.e., blind teaching the blind).teaching the blind).

Most young children exposed to handguns in the Most young children exposed to handguns in the home have had no handgun safety training.home have had no handgun safety training.

Some adolescents do, but often taught by a parent Some adolescents do, but often taught by a parent who has had no handgun safety training (i.e., blind who has had no handgun safety training (i.e., blind teaching the blind).teaching the blind).

Underlying Causes: Lack of Underlying Causes: Lack of handgun safety training handgun safety training

Most young children exposed to handguns in the Most young children exposed to handguns in the home have had no handgun safety training.home have had no handgun safety training.

Some adolescents do, but often taught by a parent Some adolescents do, but often taught by a parent who has had no handgun safety training.who has had no handgun safety training.

Where children (and adults) have had proper handgun Where children (and adults) have had proper handgun safety training, incidents of unintentional discharge of safety training, incidents of unintentional discharge of a firearm are very low.a firearm are very low.

Most young children exposed to handguns in the Most young children exposed to handguns in the home have had no handgun safety training.home have had no handgun safety training.

Some adolescents do, but often taught by a parent Some adolescents do, but often taught by a parent who has had no handgun safety training.who has had no handgun safety training.

Where children (and adults) have had proper handgun Where children (and adults) have had proper handgun safety training, incidents of unintentional discharge of safety training, incidents of unintentional discharge of a firearm are very low.a firearm are very low.

Underlying Causes: UnsafeUnderlying Causes: Unsafe design - poor ergonomics design - poor ergonomics

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).training).

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).training).

Underlying Causes: UnsafeUnderlying Causes: Unsafe design - poor ergonomics design - poor ergonomics

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.gun.

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.gun.

Underlying Causes: UnsafeUnderlying Causes: Unsafe design - poor ergonomics design - poor ergonomics

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Underlying Causes: UnsafeUnderlying Causes: Unsafe design - poor ergonomics design - poor ergonomics

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot (i.e., double versus single action).(i.e., double versus single action).

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot (i.e., double versus single action).(i.e., double versus single action).

Underlying Causes: UnsafeUnderlying Causes: Unsafe design - poor ergonomics design - poor ergonomics

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot (i.e., double versus single action.(i.e., double versus single action.

Hair trigger (tragic example I investigated).Hair trigger (tragic example I investigated).

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot (i.e., double versus single action.(i.e., double versus single action.

Hair trigger (tragic example I investigated).Hair trigger (tragic example I investigated).

Underlying Causes: UnsafeUnderlying Causes: Unsafe design - poor ergonomics design - poor ergonomics

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot (i.e., double versus single action).(i.e., double versus single action).

Hair triggerHair trigger

Uncomfortable to keep finger outside the trigger guard.Uncomfortable to keep finger outside the trigger guard.

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot (i.e., double versus single action).(i.e., double versus single action).

Hair triggerHair trigger

Uncomfortable to keep finger outside the trigger guard.Uncomfortable to keep finger outside the trigger guard.

Underlying Causes: UnsafeUnderlying Causes: Unsafe design - poor ergonomics design - poor ergonomics

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot (i.e., double versus single action).(i.e., double versus single action).

Hair triggerHair trigger

Uncomfortable to keep finger outside the trigger guard.Uncomfortable to keep finger outside the trigger guard.

New technology to enable only the intended gun user to fire it not New technology to enable only the intended gun user to fire it not widely utilized.widely utilized.

Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).Inconsistent design of safeties (negative transfer of training).

Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.Cartridge in the chamber with the magazine out of the gun.

No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.No positive indication of cartridge in the chamber.

Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot Large difference in trigger force between first and second shot (i.e., double versus single action).(i.e., double versus single action).

Hair triggerHair trigger

Uncomfortable to keep finger outside the trigger guard.Uncomfortable to keep finger outside the trigger guard.

New technology to enable only the intended gun user to fire it not New technology to enable only the intended gun user to fire it not widely utilized.widely utilized.

What is NeededWhat is Needed

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training. Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

What is NeededWhat is Needed What is NeededWhat is Needed

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

Legislation/public education on importance of Legislation/public education on importance of keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the home.home.

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

Legislation/public education on importance of Legislation/public education on importance of keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the home.home.

What is NeededWhat is Needed

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

Legislation/public education on importance of Legislation/public education on importance of keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the home.home.

Accessible training facilities.Accessible training facilities.

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

Legislation/public education on importance of Legislation/public education on importance of keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the home.home.

Accessible training facilities.Accessible training facilities.

What is NeededWhat is Needed

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

Legislation/public education on importance of keeping Legislation/public education on importance of keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the home.firearms locked and unloaded in the home.

Accessible training facilities.Accessible training facilities.

Certified training programs and instructors.Certified training programs and instructors.

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

Legislation/public education on importance of keeping Legislation/public education on importance of keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the home.firearms locked and unloaded in the home.

Accessible training facilities.Accessible training facilities.

Certified training programs and instructors.Certified training programs and instructors.

What is NeededWhat is Needed

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

Legislation/public education on importance of keeping Legislation/public education on importance of keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the home.firearms locked and unloaded in the home.

Accessible training facilities.Accessible training facilities.

Certified training programs and instructors.Certified training programs and instructors.

Correct ergonomic safety deficiencies and standardize Correct ergonomic safety deficiencies and standardize critical safety features.critical safety features.

Legislation to require training.Legislation to require training.

Legislation/public education on importance of keeping Legislation/public education on importance of keeping firearms locked and unloaded in the home.firearms locked and unloaded in the home.

Accessible training facilities.Accessible training facilities.

Certified training programs and instructors.Certified training programs and instructors.

Correct ergonomic safety deficiencies and standardize Correct ergonomic safety deficiencies and standardize critical safety features.critical safety features.

ConclusionConclusion ConclusionConclusion

Through training, education, legislation, Through training, education, legislation, and application of ergonomics, and application of ergonomics, unintentional deaths from handguns can unintentional deaths from handguns can be drastically reduced!be drastically reduced!

Through training, education, legislation, Through training, education, legislation, and application of ergonomics, and application of ergonomics, unintentional deaths from handguns can unintentional deaths from handguns can be drastically reduced!be drastically reduced!